Diagnosis: The same as generic definition plus the following additions: Maximum SVL (considering the two known specimens) 56.2 mm. Limbs relatively short and robust; all digits clawed. Three supraoculars; interparietal shorter than parietals; five occipitals of nearly the same size; few temporals (5–6); loreal large, in contact with supralabials, frenocular small; third pair of chin shields with a short medial contact, almost totally separated by two enlarged pregular scales, and in contact with fourth and fifth infralabials. It is further characterized by having 29 transverse rows of hexagonal, slightly imbricate, smooth dorsal scales between interparietal and posterior level of hind limbs; 20 transverse rows of quadrangular, slightly imbricate, smooth ventrals between collar and preanals; 30–31 scales around midbody; three femoral pores and two preanal pores on each side in males (females unknown); preanal pores separated medially by the anterior preanal scale; preanal plate formed by an enlarged anterior, and five posterior scales; 7–8 lamellae under fourth finger, some divided, and 13 under fourth toe, all divided.

Abundance: only known from its original description (Meiri et al. 2017).

Etymology

Etymology (genus): The generic name Marinussaurus is given in honor of Marinus S. Hoogmoed, for his great contribution to the knowledge of the Amazonian fauna, for his friendship, and eternal willingness to teach. The genus is male in gender.

Etymology: The specific name is given after the Curupira, a mythological creature known from many regions in South America (e.g., Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay). The most common versions of the legend regard the Curupira as an anthropomorphic creature of short height, with dark skin and with the feet pointed backward. The Curupira protects the forest and its inhabitants, severely punishing those who hunt for pleasure or who kill breeding females or defenseless juveniles. In the Amazonian region of Brazil the legend is vivid in the minds of people of riverside communities and the Curupira is sometimes much feared. The Curupira is also known as Curupi (in Argentina).